Pilarski, Hubert

Date of birth:: October 19th, 1913 (Buer/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:: October 5th, 1996 (Cologne/Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Hubert Pilarski served with the Bundeswehr after the Second World War reaching the rank of Hauptfeldwebel.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer 8.(MG) / Grenadier-Regiment 511
Awarded on:: August 4th, 1943

Awarded for his daring and abilities as a lone fighter during the battle for the Orel salient in mid-1943 (north of Bolchow, south of the line Shisdra-Bjelew).

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:: Zugführer 8. / Grenadier-Regiment 948
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1944

In March 1944, during a German counterattack SE of Tarnopol, the German advance began bogged down and the accompanying Sturmgeschütze couldn’t proceed due to the concealed Soviet anti-tank guns. In this moment, and under strong opposing fire, Oberfeldwebel Pilarski jumped onto a Sturmgeschütz and directed the fire of its gun and MG, which managed to suppress the Soviets. Still riding on the Sturmgeschütz, Pilarski rallied the attack back into motion and the day’s objective was reached.

Several days later, following a retreat, the Soviets launched a surprise thrust into a village the Germans had only just prepared for defense. Acting on his own initiative, Pilarski assembled a shock troop of 20 men and attacked the Soviets in the flank, throwing them back in a tough fight.

The next day the command post in which Pilarski was located was suddenly surrounded by the Red Army. Pilarski jumped out of the window, gathered some men and was able to drive the attackers into a retreat with hand grenades.

In recognition of his bravery during all these actions, Pilarski would receive the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross.

493rd Award.